German owned Aldi announced, on January 1, that they will be removing eight pesticides from all US stores as soon as possible.

The pesticides are

Thiamethoxam

Chlorpyrifos

Clothianidin

Cypermethrin

Deltamethrin

Fipronil

Imidacloprid

Sulfoxaflor

It is the first major grocery store in Europe to ban the pesticides found to be dangerous to bees, but it is going much further.

They are expanding their organic food brands, removing some artificial ingredients from products and adding more gluten-free items.

They have removed certified synthetic colors, partially hydrogenated oils, and MSG from their private-label products (which make up 90% of sales).

They have expanded their sales of fresh and organic meat and produce, including the “Never Any!” brand of meats that contain no added antibiotics, hormones, animal by-products or other additives.

The chain will also expand the SimplyNature line (which is free of more than 125 artificial ingredients) and their gluten-free liveGfree brand.

Their milk was free of artificial growth hormones, but now its yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, and other dairy products will be as well.

Lastly, they have begun to offer more high-end foods like artisanal cheeses, smoked salmon, quinoa, and coconut oil.

Aldi currently has 1,500 stores in the US and plans to open 500 more by 2018. Because of the focus on health the company is poised to take over as the largest, healthiest grocery store chain in the world.

Neonicotinoids are a relatively new type of insecticide, used in the last 20 years to control a variety of pests, especially sap-feeding insects, such as aphids on cereals, and root-feeding grubs. Neonics are systemic pesticides.